Exporting Mailbox Content to a PST File

With Outlook open, select the File tab in the upper left, then the Options link.

If you are using Outlook 2007, select File – Import and Export, and skip to step 3 below.

In the Outlook Options window that appears, select the Advanced link on the left then the Export button to the lower right.

In the Import and Export Wizard dialog box, select Export to a file, then select Next.

In the Export to a File dialog box, select Outlook Data File (.pst), then Next.

In the Export Outlook Data File dialog box, select the desired heading (usually your full name) then select Include sub folders to include all folders for the account. Select the Next button.

Note: you may have to use a scroll bar on the right to find your main Mailbox.

At the top of the Export Outlook Data File window, in the Save exported file as field, Outlook names the file “backup.pst” by default and displays the path for saving the file in your computer’s Documents folder in a sub folder called Outlook Files. Select Finish to accept these default settings.

Note: Select Browse and to save to a different location on your computer if you prefer, or to rename your .pst file.

A Create Outlook Data File window will appear.

In both fields type in a password that will be required when the Personal Folders File is opened. IMPORTANT: If you forget the password there is no way to retrieve it or otherwise open the .pst you are creating; be sure to keep track of any password used here. Select OK to continue.

Your computer will pause as the .pst file is created; if you have a lot of items to back up you may see a window that shows the status of each item as it is backed up. No notice will appear to indicate that the backup is done, simply verify that the “backup.pst” file appears in your Documents\Outlook Files folder when Outlook has finished (if you have changed the location and/or name in step 6 above, look for the appropriate file name/location).